Democrat Nate McMurray, challenger to U.S. Rep. Christopher Collins, addresses Collins' decision to remain in the race despite his arrest yesterday on charges of insider trading and lying to the FBI. The press conference took place at the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) Conference Center.(Photo11: CARLOS ORTIZ/ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE)

Democrat Nate McMurray conceded the race to represent the 27th Congressional District to Rep. Chris Collins on Monday.

“Nearly all the votes are counted and it is apparent that Chris Collins will be returning to Washington,” said McMurray, who had been a long shot candidate before Collins, a Republican, was arrested in August on charges of insider trading. Collins, a Republican who has represented the 27th District since 2013, maintains that he is innocent. His trial is scheduled to begin in February 2020.

“It is in the best interest of the community to move on from this chapter to the next,” McMurray said during a press conference at his campaign headquarters in Hamburg, noting that this was a “tough decision” because “part of me wants to continue to fight.“

On Election Night, with 100 percent of precincts reporting, Collins led with 49.4 percent of the vote to McMurray's 48.5 percent. Subsequent counting of absentee, emergency and affidavit ballots tightened the race, but Collins still led the count by about 1,000 votes as of Monday.

The 27th is considered New York's most heavily Republican district and encompasses 105 towns spread through all of Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming and Livingston counties, as well as portions of Erie, Monroe, Niagara and Ontario counties.

Collins spokeswoman Natalie Baldassare released a statement following McMurray's concession.

"This was a hard fought race, and Congressman Collins is already back to work," she said. "He appreciates the support of voters across the 27th Congressional District and looks forward to ensuring our region's voice is heard in Congress."

McMurray said his next move is creating an organization called Fight Like Hell, which will assist other Democrats seeking public office.

McMurray said the group will help educate people about how to run, how to organize a campaign, how to raise funds and how to file required campaign financial disclosures. Additionally, he said, the group will hold numerous town hall forums to focus on government transparency and issues that matter to voters in western New York.

"We want to pay it forward and educate people about how to get involved in politics," he said.

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